It is one of five species moved to a newly erected genus, Plocealauda, based on evidence from a large molecular genetic study published in 2023.

The plumage of the Indian bush lark is pale and it has a cheek patch completely bounded by a white supercilium and post-auricular border.

The rufous wing bars are diagnostic but care must be taken not to confuse the bird with Jerdon's bush lark in the central Western Ghats and country around where their ranges overlap.

It is distinguished from Jerdon's bush lark by its shorter bill and legs and longer tail.

The calls are similar to that of Jerdon's bush lark but are lower and have longer rattling tremolos often falling in pitch.